The colleges act like they are the be-all and end-all of American behavior. Frankly, in the grand scheme of things, the behavior in a few Animal House frats makes little difference. The great argument for the 21 drinking age is that it help keep booze out of the high schools.
Maybe some colleges worry about 20-year-olds staggering out of frat parties, but that’s a world of difference from 16-year-olds drving home drunk. These kids have 18-year-old friends, but they know very few 21-year-olds.
The conservative argument is that if you’re old enough to vote, get married, sign a contract, get a credit card, go to Iraq in the service of your country, etc., why can’t you have a cold beer or place a bet in the casino?
Dave TaggartChatsworth, Ga.